In fact, the 14th year SEC veteran has beaten the Rebels more times than any other opponent and has a winning record at Tad Smith Coliseum.

Stansbury is 20-7 when going head-to-head against Ole Miss and is 7-6 in Oxford. The Bulldogs have also won the last five games in the series.

But none of that will matter Wednesday night when they renew their rivalry.

"Those other 27 games we've played have nothing to do with this one," Stansbury said. "They are all different. Each of us have a different team each year and they're all just different. Ole Miss is very, very good there at home. I don't think they've lost a game there to my knowledge this year. They've got a very good team and Andy does a great job preparing that team every game. It's going to be a difficult challenge up there."

The instate rivalry in all sports has been revitalized in recent years. But Stansbury feels that wants to keep the game against the Rebels in perspective here in the early league schedule.

"It's only important because it's your next game," Stansbury said. "We don't get two W's for winning the game and it doesn't count as two L's. That's why you don't prepare things differently. You prepare to be consistent the way you have for 16 games. Naturally it's human nature and the kids understand and read the paper or blogs that it's your instate rival. For coaches it's just one win and one loss for us."

MSU has turned things around with a pair of wins since being stunned in the SEC opener on the road at Arkansas. The Bulldogs could not handle the Hogs full court pressure and dropped a 98-88 decision in Fayetteville.